Sign-displaying device.



PATENTED MAY 7, 1907. c. HASTY.

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APPLICATION FILED 511L181. 1906.

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CHARLES HASTY, or LA FAYETTE, INDIANA.

SIGN-DISPLAYING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 7, 1907.

Application filed July 31,1906. Serial No. 328.624-

To (LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES HASTY, a citizen of the United States, residing at La Fayette, in the county of Tippecanoe and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sign Displaying Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relatesvto improvements in sign displaying devices.

The invention contemplates the provision of a simple, strong and sightly device of this character in which the letters on the Sign or the intelligence to be conveyed thereby, will be clearly and distinctly visible in the day, and which may be illuminated at night in such a way that the letters or devices thereon will be clearly visible at that time.

The invention comprises in the main a device in circular form composed of two similar saucer-like, or concavo-convex frames disposed opposite to each other, so as to display the intelligence thereon to observers from both sides, and an intermediate disk or plate of opaque material to form a background for the letters so that they may be more readily seen by day or night without confusing the intelligence displayed upon one side of the sign with that displayed upon the other.

The invention further contemplates such arrangement of the opaque disk with relation to the frames, that the wind will pass through the frames and letters and be deflected from the disk, thereby reducing to a minimum the chance of destruction of the device in wind storms;

The invention further consists in details of construction relating to the manner of provid ing illumination by artificial light, as well as points of construction whereby the whole device is made durable and sightly. The sign is illuminated on each side from a point slightly above the center, thus substantially dividing the rays of light with equality upon the'letters upon the frame, and at the same time avoiding obstruction to vision, so that the letters on the sign will be clearly visible and prominent.

The invention contemplates the general improvement of signs of this character by the provision of devices whereby the two sections and opaque disk are firmly held together, as well as the improvement of other details of construction which will become apparent in the course of the following description:

In the drawings: Figure 1, is a perspective view of a sign displaying device constructed in accordance with my invention, the means for supporting the device being omitted. Fig. 2, is a central section of the device taken at a point just in advance of the cross-piece or arm by which the device is supported, and through which the sign may be illuminated. Fig. 3, is a top plan view of a plate used in connection with the central main clamping plate. Fig. 4, is a similar View of one section 01' the clamping plate into which the radiating wires of the sections or frames run, and are fastened.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1, designates two saucer-like concave-convex frames formed of wire bent in circular form. The frames are identical in construction, and it will be understood that reference to one will likewise apply to the other.

The numeral 2, designates the outer wire which incloses a similar circular wire 3. The wire 3 is crossed by a series of radiating wires 4, secured to the wire 3 at points of crossing by wire ties 5, and the ends of the wires 4 are extended to points 6 where eyes are formed embracing the outer wire 2. The inner portions of the wires 4 pass through a series of radiating grooves or recesses 7, beyond which their ends are bent sharply downward as indicated at 8, and embedded in a .bed of soft metal 9, which is contained in the depression 10 of two clamping plates 11. These clamping plates are each provided with two central openings 12, for the passage of a clamping screw 13, which passes through two circular plates 14 also provided with central openings 15. The plate 14 is provided with a series of radiating grooves or depressions which fit over the ends of the wires 4, and lock them firmly in place.

Clamped between the clamping plates 11, is an opaque disk 16 preferablypaintedblack, forming a background against which the letters upon the sign stand out boldly.

To insure the rigidity of the sign I provide a number of cross-pieces 17 secured to the outer wire of each section of the sign. These cross-pieces are preferably connected to the wires by eyes, and pass through apertures 18 in the disk 16.

At the top of the sections, and rigidly secured thereto, at points 19, is a transverse arm 20 extended downwardly in approximately semi-circular form, where at its ends are fitted two sockets 21 for incandescent electric light bulbs, or the ends may be so fitted as to adapt them to support ordinary lamps or other illuminating devices in common use, as the exigencies of the situation may make more convenient. The ends of the bowed portions of the arm 20 terminate at points just above the center of the two sections, so that the lighting devices, while radiating their 'rays with. substantial uniform.- ity upon all of the intelligence upon the sign, will not obstruct the free vision of any of the matter displayed upon the sign.

Where electric lights are employed, the arm 20 is preferably tubular, thereby forming a conduit for the electric wires and thus 'irotecting them from injury and insulating them against danger.

Extending transversely of each section are preferably three wires 22 which form a support for the rectilineally disposed letters 23, of the sign. The letters may be :inade of any suitable material and formed with tongues which are folded over the wires at the ends of the letters. The letters which are displayed in circular form upon the frames embrace the outer wires 2, and the inner wires 3, and while they are held to the wires in the way just suggested, it is obvious that they maybe secured to their supports by any convenient means, such as wire ties or the like.

I have omitted. the means for supporting the sign, but it will be understood that it may be supported by any convenient means and suitably guyed. as the situation surrounding its use, may demand.

Claims.

1 A'sign. displaying device comprising two oppositely disposed concavo-convex skeleton frames rigidly attached together at their cen' ters, an arm. attached to the outer edge of each frame and serving as a brace and light holder and. having a portion extending downwardly to a point at or near the center of each frame, the lower ends of said downwardly extending parts being provided with nieans for artificially illuminating the intelligence upon the frames, substantially as described.

A sign displaying device comprising two oppositely disposed skeleton frames rigidly clamped together at their centers, a disk or plate of opaque material arranged between the frames and clamped to said frames at its central point, and. a centrally located means for firmly clamping the two frames and the disk together.

3. A sign displaying device comprising two oppositely disposed concave-convex wire frames, two oppositely disposed central clamping plates formed for the reception of the radiating wires of the frame sections, and

an auxiliary clamping plate for each of the main clamping plates, a bolt for securing all of the clamping plates together, a disk or plate interposed between the wire frames and held in position by the clamping plates, substantially as described.

4. A sign displaying device comprising two oppositely disposed concavo-coiwex frames formed of outer wires presenting rims i2, inner concentric wires 3, radially arranged wires 4, a centrally positioned clamp embraring the inner ends of the radiating wires. a disk or plate of opaque material interposed between the two frames for the purpose set forth, a series of strengthening wires attached to the edges of the outer circular wires, a cross-bar connected to the periphery of the frames and having extensions litted for the -reception of illuminating devices, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. A sign displaying device comprising two oppositely disposed concave-convex frames formed of wires presenting rims 2, and inner circular wires 3, radiating cross wires snitably secured to the wires 2 and 1%, a central positioned clamp embracing the inner ends of the radiating wires at a central point for the purpose of holding the two frames together, a disk or plate of opaque material interposed between the two frames for the pun pose set forth, and held by the central clamps, a transverse bed formed of wires, for the re ception of letters in transverse arrangement upon the frames and means for illuminating the signs, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. A sign displaying device commisin two oppositely disposed skeleton frames rigidly clamped together at a central point, a disk of opaque material clamped at the central point of the frames, means for lirmly clamping the two frames and disk together, an arm attached to the edge of each frame and serving as a brace and light holder, and having a por tion extending downwardly to a point at or near the center of each frame, the lower ends of said downwardly extending parts being provided with means for artificially illuminating the intelligence upon the frames, and a plurality of cross pieces or ties connecting the peripheries of each frame and passing through the disk or plate whereby the frames are braced together and the disk held in central position between the frames, subst an tially as described.

7 A sign displaying device comprising two oppositely disposed concave-convex skeleton frames rigidly held together, an arm attached to the outer edge of each frame and serving as a brace andv a light holder, and having a portion extending downward to a point at or near the center of each frame, the lower ends of said downwardly extending parts being provided with means for artificially illuminating the intelligence upon the frames.

in testimony whereof I allix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- CHARLES llASflll'.

Witnesses W. S. CAYLOR, JOHN R. VVATTs. 

